After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Lin Zhixu ignored Steward Liu's words, gripped the increasingly bright black jade, and walked firmly into the depths of the Black Building through the long corridor.

The closer the black jade got to Yu Linzhou, the brighter its light became.

Manager Liu was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. Finally, he couldn't help but take a few quick steps and block Lin Zhixu's path: "Young Master! The area ahead is the forbidden territory of the Black Tower. We really can't go through..."

Lin Zhixu raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet sharp: "Are you sure you want to stop me?"

Manager Liu choked.

In that brief moment of distraction, Lin Zhixu had already bypassed him and pushed open the tightly closed door.

Manager Liu closed his eyes, trying to find an excuse for himself.

Master, it was Young Master Lin who insisted on barging in; I couldn't stop him, so please don't blame me.

Lin Zhixu pushed open the door. The room was very dark, the windows were tightly closed, and several heavy curtains hung down, blocking out all the light from outside.

A strong smell of medicine and a faint stench of blood wafted over.

In the center was a large ebony bed.

Yu Linzhou lay quietly on the bed, his eyes closed and his face pale.

Her usually flamboyant and unrestrained eyes and brows had all lost their sharpness, her lips were so pale they were almost transparent, and she seemed to have lost all her vitality, quietly sinking into the thick, soft quilt.

Lin Zhixu came to the bedside and looked down at him.

He had never seen Yu Linzhou lying here so defenseless and vulnerable, his neck slightly tilted back, revealing a pale Adam's apple, so fragile that it seemed he could easily break it with a single touch.

He looked down at the person on the bed, and after a moment, slowly reached out his hand.

Her fingertips were icy cold as they pressed against Yu Linzhou's warm neck, slowly drawing closer.

When Manager Liu saw Lin Zhixu grabbing Yu Linzhou's neck, his heart nearly jumped out of his throat.

For a fleeting moment, he almost lunged at her, but he managed to restrain himself.

He was even prepared to perish together with Lin Zhixu.

This is someone the master likes; he can't do anything to him.

But if he really hurts his master, he won't let him off the hook.

Fortunately, after a few breaths, Lin Zhixu released his grip.

She lifted her fingertips from Yu Linzhou's skin and pulled the blanket up to cover his neck.

He turned his head to look at Steward Liu, who was standing to the side, barely daring to breathe: "What's wrong with him?"

There's no point in hiding it now that things have come to this.

Manager Liu sighed, "It's a backlash. In addition, the black market has been in turmoil recently, and the master has been traveling around, which has led to overwork and exhaustion, causing him to collapse."

He paused, as if afraid Lin Zhixu would worry, and quickly added, "But don't worry, young master, my master's cultivation is profound. He will recover after a few days of rest. He didn't tell me to tell you because he was afraid you would worry."

Lin Zhixu stared at the person on the bed for a long time without saying a word.

Even though she knew Yu Linzhou wouldn't die easily, she still felt relieved when she heard Manager Liu say that.

In fact, he could vaguely guess that, given Yu Linzhou's personality, he would never have gone so long without showing his face unless his injuries were so severe that he could no longer hold on.

Manager Liu asked, "Young Master, is there something important that brings you to the Black Tower? Since the master is not here, I will do my best to handle it."

Lin Zhixu looked up at him, thought for a moment, and said, "The evil cultivators are running rampant in the black market, and the outside world is also suffering. My friend accepted a mission to investigate the situation in the palace, but was captured by the evil cultivator imperial advisor inside, and will be sacrificed alive in a few days."

"I can't handle it, so I came to the black market hoping to ask my master for help." After saying this, Lin Zhixu looked at Yu Linzhou, who was still unconscious on the bed, "but given his current condition, it's impossible for him to go to the palace."

Manager Liu was relieved, as long as nothing had happened to him.

"I see. Young master, there's no need to worry. If my master can't go, I can."

Lin Zhixu was slightly taken aback.

"The black market's enforcement team was originally trained by the master himself. They are all skilled individuals with considerable cultivation levels, so dealing with evil cultivators is not a problem for them."

"Since it concerns you, young master, then it concerns the Black Tower. The evil cultivators in the palace have just run into a dangerous situation. If you trust me, I'll gather my men and go with you."

Lin Zhixu said solemnly, "You flatter me. Thank you, I appreciate your help."

Manager Liu smiled and said, "Of course. You rest here for a while, and I'll go arrange the manpower. Let's get going without delay."

After saying this, he bowed and hurriedly left.

The room fell silent again.

Lin Zhixu walked to the bedside and looked at Yu Linzhou's pale, almost transparent face.

As if possessed, he reached out and very gently tucked a strand of Yu Linzhou's black hair that had fallen across his cheek behind his ear.

System: [Don't worry, he's the villain. They say evil lasts a thousand years, so he won't die easily.]

Lin Zhixu: 【…I know.】

Manager Liu quickly assembled a team of men.

The dozen or so law enforcement officers all wore black iron masks, their aura was restrained, but their presence alone was impressive.

The group left the black market and sped off on their swords towards the imperial city.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the palace, Lin Zhixu instructed the enforcement team to hide in a dense forest on the outskirts of the city, awaiting a signal before taking action.

He and Steward Liu then went to explore the palace.

Upon seeing this, Lin Zhixu frowned.

The number of guards on the palace walls suddenly more than doubled, making the entire palace extremely secure.

"It seems they were prepared," Steward Liu said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the palace walls. "These guards are just ordinary people, nothing to fear. But if we want to take down the Imperial Preceptor, it will probably be a bloodbath."

Just as Lin Zhixu was about to speak, he suddenly heard a very low hissing sound coming from behind an old tree not far away.

"Sizzle—over here! Over here!"

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Master Qingcheng hiding behind a tree, only half of his head showing, waving frantically at him like a thief.

Lin Zhixu: "..."

Manager Liu gripped the hilt of his sword warily and turned to ask, "Young master, do you know him?"

Lin Zhixu nodded: "I know him. A friend. Let's go, let's go take a look."

The two walked over.

When Master Qingcheng saw them approaching, he breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the palace wall again and said with lingering fear, "The number of guards has suddenly increased ridiculously overnight. It will probably be difficult for you to force your way in."

Lin Zhixu looked him up and down, somewhat surprised: "Why haven't you left yet?"

Master Qingcheng coughed lightly, straightened his back, and adopted a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor: "I suddenly feel that how can I back down from such a virtuous act of standing up for the common people just because the enemy is strong? Therefore, I have decided to stay and lend you a hand!"

Lin Zhixu looked at him, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly: "Thank you."

Master Qingcheng waved his hand: "No need to thank me, it's what I should do. By the way, Yunhe and Yunling haven't left either. They're still at the inn, waiting for you to come back. Let's go back to the inn first and then discuss our strategy; this isn't the place to talk."